Police Officer Shoots Himself in the Leg

A POLICE constable was shot in the left foot on Tuesday night when his firearm accidentally went off while on patrol.

The incident took place about 8.20 p.m. during a routine police patrol along Don Miguel Road, San Juan.

The Express was told that the officer, who is attached to the North Eastern Division Task Force, was in the front passenger seat of a marked police vehicle when the sling of his MP5 sub-machine gun got caught in the hand-brake lever.

While attempting to dislodge the sling, the constable said his finger became depressed upon the trigger of the gun, causing the weapon to fire one round of 9mm ammunition.

This resulted in the officer being shot on the left foot.

His colleagues secured the weapon.

The officer was taken to the Mount Hope Medical Sciences Complex for treatment. His injury is not deemed serious.